n
Blog

Marklin Boats Sails to Victory as the Top Lot in 4-Day Auction at Bodnar’s Auction in New Jersey

Bodnar’s Auction sold a single-owner estate collection that was amassed over 90 years! This collection featured several categories, including early trains, toy boats, toy airplanes, signs, advertising, engines, and other items that focused on the History of the industrial age. This 4-day auction, over the course of the past several months, attracted over 3500 registered bidders, many of whom were collectors, to participate in the online-only auction and add to their collections. 

The top lot to this collection was a Marklin Key Wind Tin Jolanda Boat, Marked on Rutter – Germany with a Marklin Insignia, sold for $18,880.00. It was in very good condition and appeared to be all original and complete with minor scratches and missing the top of one mast. This boat was named after the daughter of Marklin, who took pride in his toys. Other highlights from the toy boat and airplane collection on May 3, 2023, were a Gas Powered Toy Boat Outboard Motor. Marked Clarke #42 sold for $3186.00, a Gas Powered Morton Radial M5 Model Airplane Engine sold for $1652.00, a Lionel-Craft Key Wind Tin Speed Boat in mint and working condition sold for $1298.00, and an Antique Electric Powered Wooden “The Golden Arrow” Toy Boat sold for $3068.00

Day one featured a super clean Lionel train collection that highlighted the pre-war era. Highlights included a Lionel Brass and Nickel Steam Engine #7 with Tender, Standard Gauge, Built between 1910-1912 sold for $1062.00, a Custom Made N Gauge Coffee Table Train Layout that Had 2 Main Lines, 2 Sidings, 9 Structures, and Train Set with Engines and Rolling Stock and was Enclosed in Plexiglass on Legs steamed past its $300.00-$500.00 estimate selling for $1888.00, Lionel Standard Gauge 5-51 Steam Engine O4O with 8 Wheel Tender in Black sold for $1003.00. 

Day 2 featured a unique collection of flashlights, lightbulbs, and batteries all in near-mint condition. Most items in this collection were featured in reference books and spanned over 100 years! Highlights from this sale were a Vintage USALite Redhead Motorist Safety Flashlight, Circa 1921, light-up past its high estimate of $200.00 and sold for $1032.50, a Vintage Tabletop Battery and Flashlight Store Display that Came with 63 Batteries and 4 Flashlights sold for $973.50, a Bright Star Battery Co. Tin Litho Store Display and Battery Tester sold for $944.00, a Vintage Ray-O-Vac Flashlight Handled Walking Stick/Cane In Very Good Condition sold for $796.50, an Eveready Clover Leaf Bicycle Lamp – Front Light sold for $295.00.

Day 3 featured the history of the industrial age. The top lot of this sale was a rare Antique Waterman Gas Powered Outboard Porto Motor. Serial #32544. Fully Restored in Excellent Condition selling for $12,980.00, an Antique Gas Powered Waterman Outboard Porto Motor, In Fully Restored Condition, with Brass and Copper Highlights sold for $7375.00, an Antique Junior Gas Powered Fan. Made of Cast Iron and other metals. Made by CT Fardwell Plumbing, Baltimore, Maryland, soared past its high estimate of $500.00, selling for $3835.00, a Vintage Conley Precision Engines 2 Scale Gas Powered Motor with Added Transmission and Exhaust Pipe sold for $2596.00, a Vintage Porcelain Advertising Sign for Martin-Senour 100% Pure Paint Varnishes, Enamels Sold Here sold for $2360.00, a Vintage Gas Powered Skateboard – The Motoboard T140. New in Box sold for $2242.00, an Antique Key Wind Duck Nodder with Felt Body with Working Beak Quacker, had cast iron feet In working condition sold for $1298.00, a National Brass Tabletop Cash Register was Fully Restored in Mint Condition, Serial S1017453 312, it had all keys and Amount Purchased Top In working condition sold for $855.50, a Little Gem “Martian” Crystal Radio Set, Circa 1920’s, came with Headset sold for $531.00, a Vintage Porcelain Sign – Skull and Bones “Poison Danger.” In very good condition, sold for $295.00, an Addressograph Company Alternating Current Electric Motor. Type ST Size 18. 3 Amps. Serial #460377. Made by Holtzer-Gabot Electric Company Boston USA Chicago, sold for $265.50, a Vintage Cardboard Double Sided Pepsi-Cola Sign. Six Bottles 25 Cents with 2 Keystone Characters on both sides. In excellent to near mint condition, sold for $212.40.

Bodnar’s Auction conducts online auctions every 3-weeks featuring estate collections with no reserves. You can bid on Bodnar’s Auctions website, Liveauctioneers, Invaluable or Auction Zip. The next auction to feature the balance of this collection will be June 8, 2023, featuring around another 75 lots of toys, including a nice antique wagon collection. To view all prices realized or for more information, see www.bodnarsauction.com or call 732-951-2100

Do you want to sell your property?

Call us today for our next auction

Get Started

I’m happy with everything Joe and Janet did, you were both informative and were very helpful with the questions I had being that I was never in that position before. Janet’s response time was also positive for me. It was interesting to watch the auction live. I thought you did an amazing job and had a nice banter back and forth. You seem to be a good team! Thank you for all your hard work and making this difficult time of letting  my deceased father’s collectibles go an easy experience.

Kim F.

I would like to thank you for including me in your online sale.
Everything from none contact drop off, to none contact pick up, was handled with the outmost professionalism.
I appreciated your clear communication after the sale with a printout and an explanation of when I’ll receive my check.
Overall I was very please with the prices my jewelry achieved, some lot  went for less then I expected, others went for more, it’s all in the average.

Thank you very much

Michal F.

I come to your auctions often. You and your staff are great. Your change to an online auction on 4/9 is just another testament to your fine character and being thoughtful of others. The items are great no doubt, but a big reason I keep coming back is due to the culture you have created. Thank you. Art

Art F.

Thank You Joe! We Had a Very Good Experience With Your Team! 8/15/19

Carry G.

Sold in July 18, 2019 sale and Overall Pleased!

Frank D.

I received the proceeds from the Auction and wanted to again thank you and your team.  Everything went so smoothly and you all did such a great job from start to finish.This was an overwhelming experience for me and you made everything so easy.  I have been recommending you to everyone!

Thank you again for helping me; your kindness was very much appreciated.

Debbie B

Five Stars!

Samuel P.

Great deals and great company

Armand P.

Love this service! Great deals if you know what to look for!

Anthony D.

As I said once before, Wonderful People Work here. Thanks too all for your constant help. One Huge Look Auction!

Michael L.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter